Record strip control for autographic registers



y 13, 1941- c. J. MANUEL ETAL 2,242,012

RECORD STRIP CONTROL FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed June 2. 1959 sSheets-Sheet 1- Zzvenions;

CharZeJ' JL/vanwez M ZZer .16 6'ochnauar May 13, 1941. c. J. MANUEL ETALRECORD STRIP CONTROL FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filed June 2, 1939 .3Sheets-Sheet 2 nczzzev,

y 13, 1941- c. J. MANUEL ETAL 2,242,012

RECORD STRIP CONTROL FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Filad June 2. 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Qqfiornej iatented May 13, 194i STATES TET ore;

RECORD STRIP CONTROL FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS tion of DelawareApplication June 2, 1939, Serial No. 277,070

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in strip feeding mechanism forfeeding record strips and the like in writing machines such as billingmachines, typewriters, autographic registers and the like. Moreparticularly the invention relates to an improved strip advancingmechanism operating to advance the record strips in machines of theclass mentioned to an extent less than a complete form length of therecord strips so that the forward ends of said strips can be grasped andpulled forwardly to bring the next succeeding form length into writingposition.

It is a general object of the invention to provide for machines of theclass mentioned an improved strip advancing mechanism for advancing thestrips forwardly so that they may be grasped for completing the stripadvancement, and also for maintaining the superposed strips in correctalignment with each other for effecting manifold inscription.

A further object of the invention is to provide, for machines of theclass mentioned, an improved strip advancing and aligning mechanismhaving its advancing element separate from the aligning element.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stripgripping device for gripping the strips and advancing them a shortdistance for subsequent complete withdrawal after the entry ofinscriptions on the strips, and operating in conjunction with stripcontrolling pins adapted to enter into apertures in the strips formaintaining correct alignment of the strips for manifold inscription.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative but preferredembodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as thedescription proceeds.

The invention accordingly, comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a comprehensive disclosure of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference is had to the following detailed description and tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an autographic register of the portabletype embodying the in- Vention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section through theregister casing, showing parts of the strip advancing mechanism in sideelevation;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along theline 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, and showingparts of the strip advancing mechanism in end elevation;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section similar to Fig. 2, but takenalong the line of one of the strip controlling pins;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, parts of the register casing beingremoved and shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan View showing the assembly of thestrip controlling mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective vi w of the stripcontrolling mechanism; and V Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlargedperspective View of one of the strip advancing grippers.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawings for a detailed description thereof, the improved stripadvancing mechanism is there disclosed as being installed in anautographic register of the portable type having a casing l0 providedwith a cover I I hinged as at l2 to one end of the casing so it can beraised, and provided with a spring latch I3 for holding it in closedposition. The cover H is formed with an opening it through which therecord strips are exposed for receiving inscriptions thereon, and awriting platen or plate I5 is positioned directly beneath the writingopening for supporting the record strips in writing position. The platenl5 may be attached in the register in any desired manner. As shown, itmay be supported upon longitudinal upright plates one of which is shownat It, these plates rising above the bottom 11 of the compartment whichreceives the record supply.

A compartment is provided beneath the horizontal partition I! and abovethe bottom of the casing in which drawer l8 for receiving loose recordsheets is slidably' mounted. The drawer IB is slidably mounted foropening and closing movements Within the lower casing compartment andmay be provided with a spring motor l9 operatively connected thereto foreffecting automatic projection into open position upon release,

of the drawer latch [8. Since the drawer and its operative mechanism donot particularly form a part of the present invention, a detaileddescription thereof is unnecessary.

Record strips S of the long continuous traveler type are led from thesupply compartment above the horizontal partition I! over the rear endofthe longitudinally spaced intervals along the record strips S whiletransverse weakened severance.

lines S are arranged between adjacent blank forms thus dividing eachrecord strip into a longitudinal series of form sheets. Feed controllingapertures S are also provided in each form sheet of the strips, beingarranged in longitudinal series. One or more of these series ofapertures may be provided in a record strip, two such series being shownfor cooperation with the two pins of the strip advancing mechanismdescribed below.

In cases Where more than one record strip is used a carbon sheet orstrip is preferably provided for each additional record strip so as totransfer the inscriptions thereto. The carbon strip or strips may beassembled into a supply roll '0' housed in an appropriate space in thecasing and controlled by a spring pressed plate 20. The carbon strips Cextend fromthe supply roll C across the platen and may be clamped intheir operative positions at their free end portions at the oppositeedge of the platen by means of a swinging clamping bar 2|. 7

As shown in the drawings, the record strip controlling and advancingmechanism includes strip controlling and aligning pins 22 mounted on acarrier plate 23 appropriately supported for movement at the undersideof the platen l5. This strip controlling and advancing mechanism alsoincludes strip grippers 24 mounted adjacent to each of the oppositelateral margins of the platen for longitudinal reciprocating movements.These two strip controlling elements are actuated for advancing thestrips and for maintaining them in aligned condition upon the. writingplaten for the reception of inscriptions thereon.

While two strip controlling pins 22 are shown, a different member may insome cases be utilized, either a single pin or more than two pins, foreffecting the strip control. The carrier plate 23 forthe pins is hereindisclosed as being pivotally supported at 25 to the underside of asupporting plate 26 provided with pivot lugs for this purpose. Thesupporting plate 26 may be attached in any convenient manner tothe'machine and is shown as being. secured to the underside of theplaten I adjacent to the forward marginal portion thereof; The stripcontrolling pins 22 and grippers 24 together with operating mechanismtherefor are attached to the supporting plate 25 at the forward end ofthe platen l5 which is pivotally supported on the casing at 21 wherebythe platen may be swung upwardly on this pivotal mounting to provideaccess to the strip operating mechanism. This mechanism is thus readily1' accessible for installation, adjustments, repair, etc.

The pins 22 and carrier plate 23 may be swung on the pivotal mounting 25to and from strip aperture engaging position-by means of operatingmechanism including a transverse operating shaft 28 rotatably mountedinappropriate bearings 29 attached to the supporting plate 26. A

- crank arm '30 is rigidlysecured to the operating shaft??? and hasacne-way operating connection with the pin carrier plate 23. Thisone-way operating connection is herein disclosed as embodying aconnecting link 3| pivotally connected at 32 to the underside of thecarrier plate 23, and having an elongated slot 33in which runs theconnecting pin 34 of the crank arm 30. Rotation of the operating shaft28 in a clockwise direction, as Viewed in Fig, 4, will move the pincarrier plate 23 and pins 22 downwardly by engagement of the pin 34 atthe lower end of the slot 33. But this one-way pin and slot connectionpermits downward movement of the pin carrier plate independently ofmovement of the operating shaft.

compressed between the lower support 36 and the under face of the pincarrier plate 23, and tendsv to yieldingly urge the plate and pins 22upwardly into their normal operative position.

Each of the two grippers 24 are of like construction anda detaileddescription of one will be suflicient. Each strip gripper 24 1s mountedfor longitudinal reciprocation, being supported by a longitudinallyreciprocating carrier plate or carriage 39 having a longitudinallyextending elongated slot 40 in which run supports such as supportingpins 4| headed or enlarged at their lower ends so as to confine thecarriage for longitudinal reciprocation in its normal operativeposition. The supporting pins 4! are anchored to the supporting plate26. The gripper 24 is connected to the forward end of the carriage 39,preferably being integral therewith.

Each of the grippers 24 includes a gripper jaw Y 42 which may be formedintegrally of the plate that forms the carriage 39. This gripper jaw isthus fixed with relation to the carriage 39 and includes a plateextending inwardly in spaced relation above the forward end of thecarriage plate .39 so as to provide a keeper or channel guidein whichthe adjacent edges of the record strips are confined and guided in theirfeeding movements. The fixed gripper jaw 42 is notched at 43,. thusproviding a space for, receiving the movable jaw and an overhanging jawpart 44, the underside of whichforms the gripping surface of the fixedjaw42.

The lower or movable gripper jaw 45 is formed 7 of an angle bar, one.flange of which is pivoted as at 4 6 to the side of the fixed jaw 42.,The other flange 41 of the movable gripper jaw is notched or serrated atits upper edge so as to form gripper teeth to grip or bite into thelower surface of the recordstrips during advancement thereof. Thisserrated jaw lies immediately beneath the overhanging jaw part 44 sothat the strips may be gripped between these two jaw parts. An operatinglink 48 .is pivotally connected at 49' to the movable jaw 45. For eachof the movable gripper jaws 45 an operating crank arm 50 isfir'mlys'ecured to the operating shaft 28. An operating link 5| ispivoted to the outer end of the crank arm 50, the opposite end of thislink being connected to a crosshead or sliding pin 52, to which theoperating link 48 is also connected. The'connecting pin 52 runs in torotate in a rearward direction to its initial position.

From the foregoing detailed description the operation of the improvedstrip controlling and advancing mechanism will now be apparent. Thecontrolling pins 22 are normally positioned in the forwardly disposedapertures S of the record strips S, while the blank forms S are inwriting position on the platen immediately beneath the writing opening[4. After the inscriptions have been entered the operating crank 55 ismoved forwardly by the operator to the dotted line position shown inFig. 2, thus rotating the operating shaft 28 forwardly. The initialeffect of this operation is to retract the pins 22 out of apertureengaging position through the operating connections 30 and 3| betweenthe shaft 28 and the pin carrier plate 23. This action releases thestrips to forward movement. During this retraction of the pins from theapertures the grippers 24 remain in their initial inoperative position,that is, they are not advanced to move the strips forwardly because ofthe lost motion connection in the operating mechanism due to the pivotalconnection 46 between the movable jaw 45 and the fixed jaw 42. Thisconnection provides for considerable idle swinging movement of the jaw45 before the strips are gripped. Due to this lost motion connection theinitial movement of the operating shaft 28 sets the movable jaws 45 intotheir closed or strip gripping position. During this closing of the jawsinto gripping position there is no forward movement of the grippers toadvance the strips. However, when the gripping teeth of the movable jaw45 have firmly engaged and gripped the strips against the fixed jaw 42,the grippers then begin their forward strip feeding movement, but notuntil the pins have been fully withdrawn from aperture engagingposition. Continued forward rotation of the shaft 28 will then move thegripper carriages 39 and grippers 24 forwardly to advance the strips.The effort for this forward feeding action is transmitted from the shaft23 to the grippers through the movable gripper jaws 45 which formconnecting links for this purpose. The leverage provided by theseconnections to the movable jaws effects a positive gripping of thestrips, avoiding slippage and strip disalignment during the feedingoperation. The record strips S are thus moved forwardly a short distanceso that the forward ends thereof project through the eat or dischargeopening 58, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. These forward strip endsmay then be grasped by the operator and the strips pulled forwardly toextend the inscribed form lengths to position forwardly of the casing,at the same time, bringing the next successive form lengths into writingposition on the platen. The extending inscribed form lengths may then besevered along the weakened lines S or along the upper edge of the exitopening 58.

As soon as the forward ends of the strips have been advanced byoperation of the grippers 24, as above described, the operating lever orcrank 55 is retracted to its initial position, either manually orthrough operation of the return spring 51. This reverse movement of theoperating shaft 28 will release the grip of the grippers upon the recordstrips and return said grippers to their retracted or initial position.During this reverse movement of the operating shaft 28 the connectingpin 34 of the crank arm 30 moves upwardly idly in the elongated slot 33because the pin carrier plate 23 is not immediately returned to itsinitial position as later described. But the pins 22 and pin carrierplate 23 are urged upwardly by action of the operating spring 35. Whenthe upper ends or tops of the pins engage the lower surfaces of thestrips S the carrier plate 23 is checked against return movement becausethe strip apertures have been moved forwardly out of alignment with thepins. The pins are thus yieldingly urged against the lower face of therecord strips by action of the spring 35. As the strips are pulledforwardly manually by the operator, the pins slide along the stripsurface and will be yieldingly moved into the next successivecontrolling apertures S This entry of the pins into the strip apertureswill check forward movement of the strips and will align them in correctwriting position upon the platen with the succeeding blank forms insuperposed registry ready for the reception of the next inscription.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures, yielding means normallyurging said pin into strip engagement, a strip gripper having a freeswinging gripper jaw, a movable operating handle operatively connectedto retract said pin from aperture engagement and operatively connectedto said free swinging jaw to operate said gripper to grip the strip andto effect strip advancement with a delayed action by a single operativemovement of said handle after withdrawal of the pin from the aperture,and means for returning said gripper to initial position and returningsaid pin into yielding engagement with the strip surface under influenceof said yielding means in position for engagement in a succeeding stripaperture.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures, yielding means normallyurging said pin into strip engagement, a longitudinally movable stripgripper having gripping jaws, one of which is mounted for opening andclosing movements relative to another jaw, a rotary operating shafthaving a plurality of crank arms, one of which has a one-way operatingconnection to said pin to effect retraction thereof and to provide forindependent movement of said pin under the influence of said yieldingmeans, another of said crank arms of said operating shaft beingoperatively connected to said mov ably mounted gripper jaw to cause itto grip the strip and to effect strip advancement after withdrawal ofthe pin from the aperture, and means for returning said gripper toinitial position and positioning said pin into yielding engagement withthe strip surface under the influence of said yielding means in positionfor engagement in a succeeding strip aperture. 1

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures and mounted for -movementto and from aperture engaging position, a strip advancing memberseparate from said pin and mounted for strip. advancing movement,unitary operating means including a movable operating handle forwithdrawing said pin from aperture engagement, and yielding means forpositioning said pin independently of said operating means into yieldingengagement with the strip in aperture engaging positiOn after the striphas been advanced, said operating means also having a delayed actionoperating connection with said strip advancing member for initiatingstrip ad vancement at ,a single operating movement of said handlefollowing withdrawal of said pin by said operating means.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures and mounted for movement toand from aperture engaging position, a strip advancing member separatefrom said pin and mounted for strip advancing movement, and unitaryoperating means having a one-way operating'connection with said pin towithdraw it from aperture engagement, yielding means for positioningsaid pin independently of said operating means into yielding engagementwith the strip in aperture engaging position after the strip has beenadvanced by said operating means, said operating means also having alost motion operating connection with said strip advancing member forinitiating strip advancement followin withdrawal of said pin by saidoperating means.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures and mounted for movement toand from aperture engaging position, a strip advancing member separatefrom said pin and mounted for strip advancing movement, unitaryoperating means having a one-way operating connection with said pin towithdraw it from aperture engagement, yielding means for positioningsaid pin independently of said operating means into yielding engagementwith the strip in aperture engaging position after the strip has beenadvanced, said operating means also having a lost motion operatingconnection with Said, strip advancing member for initiating stripadvancement following withdrawal of said pin, by said operating meansand a longitudinally reciprocating carriage for supporting said stripadvancing member in its strip advancing movements.

6. In a machine, of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip fapertures, yielding means normallyurging said pin into stripengagement, a strip gripper unitrmounted forreciprocating movement adjacent to the strip path and including a stripgripper, a, unitary operating member having separate actuatingconnections, one of which is ments with reference to another operativelyconnected to retract said pin from apertureengagement and to return itto position in which said yielding means yieldingly urges it into stripengagement, another of. said actuating connections being operativelyconnected to said gripper to efiect strip gripping and releasing actionthereof and to effect actuation of said gripper unit to advance thestrip in timed sequence with retraction of said pins.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures, a movably mounted carriermounting said pin for movement to and from strip engaging position,yielding means yieldingly urging said pin into strip engaging position,a strip gripper unit mounted for reciprocating movement adjacent to thestrip path andineluding a strip gripper having gripper jaws, one ofwhich is pivoted for opening and closing movements with reference toanother jaw, a rotary operating shaft with a driving connectiontherefor, a driving connection between said operating shaft and saidpivoted jaw of the gripper for effecting gripping action of said jaw andfor effecting strip feeding movement of said grip- .per unit, and adriving connection between said operating shaft and said pin carrier forretracting the pin from strip engagement "and for returning it intoposition in which said yielding means yieldingly urges said pin againstthe strip after said strip has been advanced by said gripper.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, alongitudinal strip gripping element having a movably mounted gripper jawmounted for free swinging movement into gripping and releasing position,said gripping element also having a gripper jaw mounted in fixedposition on said reciprocating element and having a side extensionpositioned above the strip path to form a guide channel for receivingand guiding the longitudinal strip margin, a lever arm attached to saidmovably mounted gripper jaw, and an operating connection for saidgripping element connected to said lever arm so as to close the movablejaw into strip gripping position and subsequently to advance thegripping element to effect strip feed. 7

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin for entering strip apertures, a movably mounted carriermounting said pin for movement to and from strip engaging position,yielding means yieldingly urging said pin into strip engaging position,a strip gripper unit mounted for reciprocating movement adjacent to thestrip path and including a strip gripper having gripper jaws, one ofwhich is pivoted for opening and closing movejaw, a rotary operatingshaft with a driving connection therefor, a driving connection betweensaid operating shaft and said pivoted jaw of the gripper for effectinggrippingaction of said jaw and for effecting strip feeding movement ofsaid gripper unit, a driving connection between said operating shaft andsaid pin carrier for retracting the pin from strip engagement and forreturning it into position in which said yielding means yieldingly urgessaid pin against the strip after said strip has been advanced-by saidgripper, and means for delaying the strip feeding movement of saidgripper unit until said pin hasbeen withdrawn 'from'strip engagement. 7

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a stripcontrolling pin forentering strip apertures, a strip gripper unitmounted for reciprocating movement adjacent to the strip pathandincluding a strip gripper, a movable operating handle operativelyconnected to retract said pin from aperture engagement, and operatingconnections between said operating handle and said gripper andfgripperunit to ing connections between said operating handle and said gripperand gripper unit to efiect strip gripping action by said gripper and toeffect strip feeding advancement of said gripper unit at a singleoperative movement of said handle, and means included in said operatingconnections for delaying said feeding advancement of the gripper unitwith reference to said pin retraction.

CHARLES J. MANUEL.

WALTER E. GOCHNAUER.

